APEDA Facilitates India’s First Egg Powder Export to Austria
Why in the news
A first-of-its-kind consignment of egg powder left Odisha for the European Union, showing that Indian poultry products can meet strict EU standards.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Dried whole egg powder |
| Quantity | 22.6 metric tonnes |
| Route | Balangir, Odisha to Austria |
| Flag-off | 20 June 2026, virtual, by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev |
| Exporter | OVO Farm Pvt Ltd, an APEDA-registered firm |
| Facilitator | APEDA |
- The exporter’s processing plant in Balangir began in 2025 and complies with FSSC 22000 Version 6, HALAL, KOSHER, Export Inspection Council and EU hygiene requirements.
- The powder is made by spray-drying liquid eggs; it keeps long, ships easily and is used in food processing, bakery, confectionery and pharmaceuticals.
- APEDA gave financial help for processing infrastructure, quality management systems and laboratory testing.
About APEDA
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Statutory apex export-promotion body |
| Law | APEDA Act, 1985; passed December 1985, in effect 13 February 1986 |
| Ministry | Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce) |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Chairman | Abhishek Dev, since 1 April 2024 |
| Replaced | Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC) |
- Vision: make India a supplier of quality agro and food products worldwide. Mission: act as the link between trade and industry and the Government to grow agro exports.
Functions
- Developing industries linked to scheduled products, including financial aid, surveys and feasibility studies.
- Registering exporters, fixing standards, and inspecting meat and meat products.
- Improving packaging and marketing, collecting statistics, and training.
- Running the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and promoting organic exports.
Scheduled products
The 17 categories include fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy, bakery items, honey and jaggery, cocoa products, beverages, cereals (with millets), groundnuts, pickles and papads, guar gum, floriculture, herbal plants, de-oiled rice bran, green pepper in brine, and cashew.
Recent initiatives
- ODOP alignment for exports, farm-to-port supply chains, Krishi Udan with the Civil Aviation Ministry, GI-tagged product promotion, Vocal for Local campaigns abroad, and coffee-table books on regional foods.
Exam angle
- Parent ministry: Commerce and Industry; headquarters: New Delhi.
- Destination of the first egg powder shipment: Austria.
- Number of scheduled product categories: 17.